How art and miniatures found me… 

I was born in Cape Town South Africa in 1979. From the time I could hold a pencil I was drawn to creating art. The first thing I drew was a huge red house on my mother’s newly installed cream carpets. Needless to say, from then on, they supplied me with huge rolls of paper to keep me out of trouble.

I have fond memories of my grandmother always scribbling on bits of paper and painting murals on her walls at home. She was not a professional artist per se, but I believe I inherited my love for art and the desire to draw and paint from her. Unfortunately, she passed away when I was young.

I guess you could say art is in my blood. Growing up I never had the opportunity to study art or be formally trained, but I was always naturally drawn to it and it was something I instinctively had to do.

When I finished school in Cape Town, I started working in an art supply store, selling art materials.
I just loved being surrounded by all the different paints and art materials,
even though working full time meant I did not have time to be creative myself. I hoped to one day do what I love for a living.

In 1997 my employer and friend, Isa Lindstrome the owner of the art shop gifted me with a case full of oil paints and brushes.
I was so appreciative that I wanted to thank her somehow.
I learned she was making miniatures, 1/12 scale miniature furniture and other items at the Miniature Guild of Cape Town. I had the idea I would make her a “small” painting.

I didn’t know anything about miniatures at the time but I tried to paint an oil painting as small as I could so she could hopefully add it to her collection of miniatures.

She took it along and showed it to her fellow miniaturists.
As there was no one else making miniature paintings they encouraged me to make more and bring my small art to the Miniature Fair and Auction in Rondebosch Cape Town.

They welcomed me to the world of miniatures and for the last 20 years I have been exhibiting at these annual events. In 2001 I decided to move from Cape Town to a little town called Robertson in the Breede-River Valley also known as “the valley of wine and roses” to paint full time.

This small town with scenic wine farms and beautiful mountains has proven to be a very inspiring place for me to live and peruse my art career.

And so, it began…

I not only love painting big and small now, but I have grown to appreciate art and miniatures in all its forms and have met many wonderful people along the way.

 I am truly grateful for their ongoing encouragement and support. I hope to share my love for art, nature and all things beautiful with you.

Life is so precious and short, but through Art these beautiful places and fleeting moments can be captured in time for us to enjoy them a little longer.

Cindy Lotter
Simply Small Art Since 1998